With the approaching 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, the need for clarity on the commonalities and differences between Catholics and Protestants grows ever more urgent, according to the authors of The Unfinished Reformation. Gregg R. Allison and Chris Castaldo provide a thorough and careful examination of the issues at stake.

A small group of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana atheists has launched a campaign to buy billboards mocking the message of the Answers in Genesis Ark Encounter museum and its July 7 opening. The 1,500-member Tri-State Freethinkers have raised $10,000 …

Southern Baptists were among an estimated 50,000-75,000 pro-life activists who protested at Planned Parenthood clinics across America Aug. 22, calling for the defunding of the nation’s largest abortion provider. Protestors in more than 350 cities across 47 states joined what The Washington Post called “the largest-ever rally against” Planned Parenthood.

At least three mainline Protestant denominations have celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court’s nationwide legalization of gay marriage, and others say they are divided on the issue. “By and large, [mainline denominations] have been more liberal than the culture in compromising their sexual standards before the country itself compromised …”

Stoney Shaw and other Missouri Baptist leaders have worked with city officials, community members and protesters since Brown’s Aug. 9 death to help revitalize suffering businesses and prevent further destruction to downtown Ferguson amid racial tensions and weeks of sometimes violent protests in the St. Louis suburb.

Conflict arises into its third month in Ukraine. Troubles began when the Ukrainian government failed to sign a trade agreement with the European Union and, instead, signed a deal for financial assistance from Russia that is opposed by many Ukrainians.

The spiritual and ideological chasm in the Texas abortion debate was evident at the close of a pro-life rally July 8 that drew an estimated 2,000 pro-lifers and, by one media account, about 1,000 pro-choice activists.

Taksim Square in the heart of Istanbul seems like ground zero of the biggest party in Turkey. Groups of students dance hand-in-hand. Local musicians gather for impromptu open-air performances. Women hand out sesame-covered biscuits to anyone in arm’s reach.

A majority of regular churchgoers say their pastor has discussed the importance of voting, while 29 percent say their pastor has taken sides, in sermons, in the presidential race, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center.

Though almost all pastors feel privileged to be in ministry, a majority also experience loneliness and discouragement. That is the finding of a new survey by LifeWay Research of 1,000 American Protestant pastors.

Tithing to U.S. Protestant churches as a percentage of income is at its lowest level in at least 41 years, according to a new report, and churches are keeping a greater share of those donations for their own needs.

Most pastors feel strongly that Mormons are not Christians, according to a survey by LifeWay Research. The survey polled 1,000 American Protestant pastors and asked them to respond to the statement: “I personally consider Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) to be Christians.”

ABOUT THE BIBLICAL RECORDER
Since 1833 the Biblical Recorder has served North Carolina Baptists as the Baptist State Convention's official news journal - with the emphasis on news. The paper was founded by Thomas Meredith, an early pastor, writer and denominational statesman in North Carolina.